X-Nico

11 unusual facts about Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma


Battle of Craonne

The young French conscripted soldiers were called "Marie-Louises" (after Napoleon's second wife) because Marie-Louise signed the order for their conscription in Napoleon's absence.

Casimir-Louis-Victurnien de Rochechouart de Mortemart

In the 1814 campaign in France he was put in charge of presenting Marie Louise with the allied colours captured at Champ-Aubert, Nangis and Montereau.

Ducal Palace of Colorno

After the Congress of Vienna, the duchy went to Marie Louise, Napoleon's wife, who made the Reggia her favourite residence and created a wide English-style garden.

Friedrich von Gentz

Disillusioned and cynical, though clear-sighted as ever, he was henceforth before all things an Austrian, more Austrian on occasion even than Metternich, e.g., when, during the final stages of the campaign of 1814, he expressed the hope that Metternich would substitute Austria for Europe in his diplomacy and—strange advice from the old hater of Napoleon and of France—secure an Austro-French alliance by maintaining the husband of Marie Louise on the throne of France.

Jean-Pierre, Count of Montalivet

In 1814, after the Six Days Campaign, Bachasson accompanied Empress Marie Louise all the way to Blois, and then retired to his property in Montmeyran.

Juliane Giovane

Giovane made a name for herself at the Viennese court in 1795 though her writings on education and became employed as a Hofmeister in the court of the Archduchess Marie Louise, the granddaughter of Queen Maria Caroline.

Marie Walewska

The Emperor planned to divorce Josephine and instead marry Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma and maintaining an affair with another woman seemed inappropriate.

Marjorie Merriweather Post

Pieces in the collection include the Napoleon Necklace and the Marie Louise Diadem (a 275 ct. 55g diamond-and-turquoise necklace and tiara set that Napoleon I gave to his second wife, Empress Marie Louise); a pair of diamond earrings set with pear shapes, weighing 14 ct.

The Bonny Bunch of Roses

It is a conversation between Napoleon's son (Napoleon II, 1811-1832, named King of Rome by his father upon birth) and his mother (Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma, Napoleon's second wife, whom he married after divorcing Josephine).

William Albert, 1st Prince of Montenuovo

Count William Albert of Neipperg was born at Parma, Duchy of Parma, son of Adam Albert, Count of Neipperg (1775–1829), by his second wife, Archduchess Marie Louise of Austria (1791–1847), (daughter of Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor and Princess Maria Teresa of Naples and Sicily).

Archduchess Marie Louise of Austria


Adam Albert von Neipperg

In August 1814, he was instructed to escort Napoleon's wife, the Empress Marie Louise, to Aix-les-Bains to take the waters.

Alfred, 2nd Prince of Montenuovo

Prince Alfred of Montenouvo was born at Vienna, Austrian Empire, only son of William Albert, 1st Prince of Montenuovo (1819–1895), (son of Adam Albert, Count of Neipperg and Archduchess Marie Louise of Austria) and his wife, Countess Juliana Batthyány-Strattmann (1827–1871), (daughter of Count János Baptist Batthyány-Strattmann and Countess Marie Esterházy de Galántha).

Diamond Crown of Bulgaria

The crown was made for the first wife of Ferdinand I, Marie Louise in late 19th century (used later also by Eleanore of Reuss-Köstritz, the second wife of Ferdinand I).

Jan Frans van Dael

He was also patronized by the Empress Marie Louise, who took one of his pictures with her to Parma.